Maundy Thursday in Music, Prayer, Reading and Holy Silence:
“The word “Maundy” comes from “mandatum novum,“ the Latin translation of John 13:34, “I give you a new commandment…that you love one another” Jesus spoke these words to the disciples on the evening when the First Supper was celebrated, just before he was betrayed and taken away to his trial. We commemorate this new commandment at every celebration of Communion but on Maundy Thursday we remember the institution of the sacrament. Many Christians (including Union Church) also offer an opportunity for optional foot and hand washing for those who come on this night. Jesus did this for his disciples as they entered the room for their passover supper.
Union Church Maundy Thursday Service
7pm Footwashing,
7:30pm Music and Tenebrae Service
Special “Tenebrae” Worship:
On this night we commemorate the events of Jesus’ life that led to his crucifixion by reading one of the Gospel accounts of the passion (the last week of Jesus life) and by sharing communion just as the original disciples did on this night nearly 2,000 years ago. “Tenebrae” is the Latin word meaning, “shadows.” The Tenebrae Service at Union Church is an adaptation of a liturgy that dates from the fourth century CE. Twelve candles represent the disciples and a center candle, the Christ. One candle is extinguished after each reading to represent the denial and desertion of the Christ. We read the scriptures straight through with very little commentary, culminating in the total darkness of death and burial. A single, sheltered candle is re-lit and taken from the sanctuary at the close of the service to prophesy of the Easter so soon to come. Interspersed with the readings, musical offerings punctuate the meditative tone of the night. It’s a very moving and powerful service!
This Year We Read The Story According To Luke:
This year’s reading of the “Passion” narrative is taken from the gospel according to Luke, the author of both the book of Luke and the Acts of the Apostles. This gospel was written to and for a gentile (non-Jewish) community sometime between 75 and 130 CE. For Luke, it was important that his readers understood that Jesus was condemned to death because of the actions of the religious and political authorities and not in any way because he was deserving of the crucifixion. Luke alone of all the gospel writers uses the verb “paschein,” “to suffer,” when speaking of Christ’s death. For Luke, Jesus must suffer simply because he is the messiah. God in Christ is changing the nature of honor and power; showing true glory by letting go of power and entering into the suffering of the world. The entire gospel could be summarized in the words of Bob Pierce, “Let my heart be broken with the things that break the heart of God.”
Communion or the Lord’s Supper Will Be Offered:
Originally the meal that is described in the Gospels was served on low tables while the guests reclined on the floor or on cushions. The bread we use this night is similar to what may have been served at that first table: a passover flat bread (in this case, gluten free), and both wine and grape juice will be provided to symbolize the gift of Christ’s blood. This is Jesus’ table, and all who would be fed are welcome to partake.
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